PULMONARY DISEASE:
Jim Armstrong
Lifelong Anderson resident James Armstrong’s
journey with chronic pulmonary disease has taken many twists
and turns over the years. Saint John’s Health System and its
affiliation with St.Vincent Health has had the expertise and
technology to be at his side every step of the way.
James was diagnosed with Stage 1 lung cancer in March 2005.
He already had been receiving excellent care for pulmonary
disease from Saint John’s specialist Dr. David Mares, who
saw him quarterly for check-ups. Thanks to Dr. Mares’
thorough and consistent monitoring and observation, James’
lung cancer was found early. Dr. Mares quickly put together
a team of doctors to develop a personalized treatment plan
at the Saint John’s Cancer Center.
Because James’ lungs were weakened by pulmonary disease,
doctors decided against surgery and chose a therapy plan
that consisted of 30-second external radiation treatments
spread out over several weeks.
Saint John’s Cancer Center Clinical Director
Darrel Ross,
MD, a specialist in radiation therapy, explained, “The goal
in radiation therapy is to develop and implement treatment
programs that maximize the chances of curing cancer while
minimizing the radiation dose to normal organs. The
radiation oncologists utilize the Cancer Center’s treatment
planning computer to calculate each treatment.
“The Cancer Center staff was always gracious, kind and
attentive to my every need,” James said. “Dr. Ross is
wonderful with his patients. He genuinely cares.”
A recurrence of cancer prompted doctors to recommend using
Novalis Shaped Beam Radiosurgery, a groundbreaking treatment
for tumors of the lung, brain, spine, liver and prostrate.
James went to St.Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis, where he
received a handful of three- to-four minute treatments over
the course of two weeks.
“I was impressed at how easy the treatments were to get,”
James said. “It wasn’t painful, and it was fast. Best of all
– the treatments worked.”
Today, James is going strong, and has a lot to be grateful
for. He and his wife enjoy spending time with their daughter
and two grandchildren, and he keeps busy with his computer
repair and consulting business.
“I couldn’t ask for a better team of doctors,” James said of
the specialists at Saint John’s who have cared for him over
the years. “Dr. Mares has always been there for me. He’s
very thorough and explains in detail all the options. He
never cuts you off. As long as you have questions, he’ll
answer them. That’s also true for Dr. Ross.”
Out-of-state family and friends have questioned why James
would choose to have his cancer treatment in Anderson,
instead of in Chicago or Cleveland. James’ reply is, “I’m
getting the best possible cancer care right here.”
|
